The event “Opera Italiana is in the Air” is set to take place at the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool on Saturday, June 1st, just before National Italian Day. The free concert, running from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM, promises a memorable evening of Italian opera.

Amidst a renewed interest in Italian opera within mainstream culture—highlighted by Beyoncé featuring a famous Italian aria in her song “Daughter” and the viral spread of the “Opera Challenge” on TikTok with over 300 million posts—this genre is adapting and connecting with younger generations. The event is designed to make opera more accessible and enjoyable, breaking down traditional barriers like cost and dress codes.

The evening will feature notable performers such as tenor Antonio Poli, soprano Ewa Plonka, and baritone Anthony D. Anderson. Poli has graced stages across Europe and with the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Plonka is currently performing in the lead role of Turandot at the Washington National Opera, and Anderson, a rising star from Washington, D.C., has recently completed his Masters in Voice at the University of Maryland’s Maryland Opera Studio Program. The performance will feature beloved arias, particularly celebrating the work of Puccini on the centennial of his passing.

“It should be the mission of every artist to want to share this music,” says Maestro and Founder Alvise Casellati. “For over 400 years, opera was considered ‘pop’ music and only very recently wrongly perceived as music for the elite. In its purest form, it is sheer entertainment for everyone.”

In addition to entertaining, the event underscores the therapeutic qualities of music, which has been shown to aid in healing by alleviating stress, reducing anxiety, and managing pain. Casellati emphasizes this aspect, aiming to bring these benefits to hospital settings. Accordingly, a special performance is planned at Children’s National Hospital in Washington, D.C.

“I cannot think of a higher cause for music than its healing and therapeutic powers,” Casellati says. “I am thrilled with our collaboration with music therapy departments at hospitals in New York City and now with Children’s National Hospital, one of the country’s top hospitals for pediatric care.”

This event offers a perfect opportunity for both opera aficionados and newcomers to enjoy world-class music in a picturesque setting, encouraging attendees to bring a lawn chair or simply sit on the steps and soak in the atmosphere and the music.

In March, Japan astounds with over 3M international arrivals, leading global travel trends with soaring momentum, according to Mastercard.

The travel industry is reaching new heights in 2024, with tourism spending and passenger traffic skyrocketing, as revealed in the latest Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI) report. The fifth annual report, “Travel Trends 2024: Breaking Boundaries,” explores the dynamic travel landscape across 74 markets, including 13 in the Asia Pacific region (APAC).

Record-Breaking Travel Trends

Despite varying exchange rates and affordability challenges, the travel industry is booming. Nine of the last ten record-setting days in global cruise and airline spending have occurred this year. The MEI predicts this trend will continue as consumers prioritize meaningful experiences, allocating more of their budgets to travel.

Key Insights from MEI’s Data

The report draws on Mastercard’s aggregated and anonymized transaction data, including Mastercard SpendingPulse™ and third-party sources, offering a deep dive into 2024’s tourism trends. Notable themes in APAC include:

• Trending APAC Destinations: APAC accounts for half of the top ten travel hot spots, ranked by the increase in tourism transactions over the past year.
• Japan Leads the Way: Japan is the top trending destination globally, with a 0.9% increase in tourism transactions compared to Ireland’s 0.4%. In March 2024, Japan welcomed 3,081,600 international visitors, the highest ever recorded, driven by a favorable exchange rate and a weak yen.
• Rising APAC Passenger Traffic: Intra-regional travel is rebounding, with top summer destinations for Singapore travelers including Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Perth.
• Thailand’s Tourism Recovery: Thailand’s tourism is expected to fully recover in 2024, with visitor arrivals now only 7% below pre-pandemic levels. Inbound flight traffic from South Asia and ASEAN is nearly 20% above 2019 levels.

“Consumers in the Asia Pacific region have an intense desire and willingness to travel and are becoming increasingly savvy to ensure they get the best value and unforgettable experiences from their trips,” said David Mann, chief economist, Asia Pacific, Mastercard. “For tourism authorities, retailers, the hospitality and F&B sectors, the bottom line is that costs matter. In today’s economy, foreign exchange rates and spending power have become vital components in driving a traveler’s assessment of value when they are making their plans. This suggests that businesses targeting tourism dollars need to review their current strategies, and shift them if necessary, to maintain their appeal to travelers.”

Summer Hot Spots and Global Trends

Looking ahead, Munich is set to be the top summer destination due to the UEFA EURO 2024 football championship. Tokyo, Bali, and Bangkok also rank among the top ten cities gaining momentum.

Chinese Mainland Travel Dynamics

• Domestic Tourism Surge: Domestic air passenger traffic in the Chinese Mainland has fully normalized, surpassing 2019 levels and benefiting local businesses.
• International Travel Recovery: Outbound travel is at 80.3% of 2019 levels, with growth expected to continue, supported by visa exemptions and increased international flight capacity.

Indian Travel Boom

A growing middle class, increased route capacity, and a strong travel desire mean 2024 will see more Indians traveling internationally than ever before. In the first quarter of 2024, 97 million passengers passed through Indian airports, a number that would have taken a year to achieve a decade ago.

• Domestic and International Traffic Growth: Domestic passenger traffic is up 21% compared to 2019, while international traffic is up 4%.
• Significant Increases in Key Markets: Indian travelers to Japan, Vietnam, and the U.S. have increased dramatically, with notable rises in visitor numbers.

Longer Leisure Stays

In APAC (excluding ANZ), tourists are extending their trips by an average of 1.2 days to 7.4 days, driven by affordability, favorable exchange rates, and warm weather. This trend benefits local economies as longer stays generally translate to more spending per trip.

Thrill Seekers and Experience Spending

Globally, consumers continue to prioritize experiences over material goods. Spending on experiences and nightlife has reached its highest point in five years, making up 12% of tourism sales. Australian tourists are the highest spenders in this category, with 19% of their travel budget going towards experiences and nightlife.

Casual Over Luxury

Tourists prefer casual fashion and food, except where luxury offers exceptional value. Luxury fashion sales have soared in Japan and Hong Kong SAR, driven by a weak yen and late reopening respectively. Meanwhile, fine dining is thriving in Australia, India, and Thailand, outperforming casual dining.

These trends highlight the evolving preferences and behaviors of travelers, setting the stage for an exciting year ahead in the global travel sector.

“Amidst the evolving tourism landscape and continuing surge in travel throughout 2024, the Mastercard Economics Institute aids businesses and policymakers in translating macroeconomic forces and data insights into actionable strategies at the country, category, and company levels, in addition to counseling on possible scenarios and the implications they have on demand,” added Mann.

Visitors to the eagerly awaited THE COMMUNE Mall in Kulai, Johor, are now treated to exclusive savings via the AirAsia MOVE app (previously known as airasia Superapp). These discounts cover a variety of services including flights, hotels, and transportation.

A partnership was cemented with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by Nadia Omer, CEO of AirAsia MOVE, and David Kang, CEO of THE COMMUNE Lifestyle Mall, at the AirAsia MOVE headquarters located at RedStation, KL Sentral.

Scheduled to open in the third quarter of 2024, The Commune Mall in Kulai, Johor, is set to revolutionize the shopping experience. Covering 200,000 square feet of net lettable space on four acres, this three-level mall will include two major anchor tenants. Hwa Thai Supermart, a respected grocery store from Johor, is known for its high-quality products and competitive prices. Accompanying this will be Sports Affairs, a top-tier sports facility and a flexible event space, enhancing the sports facilities in Kulai with its 10 indoor badminton courts, two futsal courts, and basketball areas.

Moreover, THE COMMUNE Mall is excited to unveil a lineup of key mini anchors and first-of-its-kind stores in Johor/Kulai, including:

• The inaugural Chagee Drive-Thru in Johor
• The first Burger King Drive-Thru in Kulai
• The debut of Good2U in Kulai
• The first Kenangan Coffee in Kulai
• The initial Richeese Factory in Kulai
• The first Bingxue in Kulai
• The first IJ Space in Malaysia
• The premier new concept Guoma Seafood Shabu Shabu in Malaysia

This collaboration allows AirAsia MOVE app users to accumulate 1 AirAsia Point for every RM1 spent at any outlet* in THE COMMUNE Mall, and 1 AirAsia Point for every RM5 spent on groceries. These points can be redeemed for flights across the AirAsia network, hotel reservations, and ride-hailing services through AirAsia Ride, all accessible via AirAsia MOVE.

Nadia Omer, CEO of AirAsia MOVE, said, “Today is a special milestone for AirAsia MOVE as it is the first time we offered the service of our loyalty programme, AirAsia Rewards, to our partner which allows their customers to get more out of their everyday shopping, and benefit from AirAsia MOVE’s ecosystem of offerings of flights, hotels, rides and many more. This is a win-win partnership for both parties and we would like to invite potential partners to reach out to us for further collaboration.”

Mr David Kang, CEO of THE COMMUNE Lifestyle Mall, stated, “We at THE COMMUNE are thrilled to partner with AirAsia MOVE. This collaboration perfectly aligns with our vision of fostering a thriving community, not just a mall.  This partnership empowers our patrons to do just that – travel, explore new places, and create lasting memories – all while earning rewards through their everyday shopping at THE COMMUNE. The seamless integration with the AirAsia MOVE app adds a layer of convenience and exciting deals, making the entire experience even more rewarding. “

Minor Hotels, a global hotel owner and operator, has named Puneet Dhawan as Head of Asia to spearhead its expansion in Asia and India. Starting in July, Dhawan will oversee the performance of all Minor Hotels properties in Asia, collaborating closely with the senior leadership team and reporting directly to CEO Dillip Rajakarier.

With a rich 30-year career in the hospitality industry across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, Dhawan brings extensive expertise to his new position. Previously serving as Senior Vice President of Operations – India & South Asia at Accor, he led business development, owner management, hotel operations, and the commercial team, contributing significantly to Accor’s regional growth. Notably, he played a key role in launching India’s first Raffles hotel during his tenure. His extensive experience at Accor also includes roles such as Vice President of Operations for the Middle East and various General Manager positions. Dhawan’s journey in hospitality began at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, where he held roles in the Philippines and Hong Kong.

Dhawan graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Upon joining Minor Hotels in July, he will be based at the company’s Bangkok Corporate Office.

Dillip Rajakarier, CEO of Minor Hotels and Group CEO of Minor International, commented, “We are excited to welcome Puneet to the Minor Hotels family. His operational experience and empowering leadership will be invaluable as we work to achieve our growth ambitions in Asia and India in the coming years.”

In January, Minor Hotels shared its goal of expanding its global portfolio with over 200 new openings by 2026, half of which are planned for Asia. A more recent announcement from the hotel group outlines a plan to launch 50 new properties in India over the next decade, including the introduction of its luxury Anantara brand in Jaipur later this year.

AirAsia Philippines is anticipating a robust start for the latter half of 2024 and through the year’s end, fueled by increasing Filipino expenditure on travel. A recent survey conducted by travel platform Klook indicates that over 70% of Filipinos are prepared to allocate more funds towards airline tickets, accommodations, and activities in 2024. Although domestic travel remains a favored option for quick getaways, 76% of Filipinos express readiness for international trips this year.

In a strategic collaboration, The World’s Best Low-Cost Airline and Klook have joined forces to promote popular tourist destinations in Japan. Furthermore, AirAsia Philippines’ second-quarter load factor data reveals that 78.9% of travelers, exceeding 1 million Filipinos, have already secured bookings for immediate travel until June 2024. Most of these reservations are for global cities such as Taipei, Bangkok, Narita, Osaka, and Incheon.

“AirAsia Philippines’ commitment to provide the best affordable travel deals which gives seamless access not only to Philippine destinations, but also to 10 Asean countries and 130 destinations across the region and beyond, and our high regards for safety and service excellence has always been the blueprint to boost travel excitement. We remain flexible in responding to changing market trends by innovating and providing them with the best deals that fit their travel needs”, AirAsia Head of Communications and Public Affairs and First Officer Steve Dailisan shares.

AirAsia is highly optimistic about its Q2 performance, given its current load factor exceeding 80% as of May 13. The airline anticipates surpassing its impressive Q1 load factor of 92%, particularly due to an increasing number of Filipinos booking last-minute summer getaways. AirAsia’s frequent promotional offers and sales significantly influence travelers’ decision-making, making air travel more accessible and enticing.

To further encourage air travel, AirAsia is extending an enticing offer until May 19: one-way base fares starting from PHP1,750 to various destinations in Australia such as Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, and others, valid for travel until March 31, 2025.

AirAsia Philippines is expanding its daily flight schedule from the Cebu hub to Boracay and Davao. Additionally, flights to Bacolod, Bohol, Boracay, Cebu, Davao, Iloilo, Kalibo, Puerto Princesa, and Tacloban are still operating out of Manila via NAIA T2, with frequencies ranging from 3 to 9 times daily. For international flights to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Kota Kinabalu, Osaka, Seoul, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Narita, and Macau, departures are scheduled 3 to 14 times weekly via NAIA T3.

European visa applications surge in 2023, revealing India’s third-place ranking and highlighting a growing interest in global travel.

The European Commission has released data highlighting a significant increase in Schengen visa applications in 2023. Among the key contributors to this surge is India, which has secured the third spot in the rankings for the number of short-stay visa applications. This marks a notable milestone in India’s global travel footprint.

Surge in Applications

In 2023, the consulates of EU countries and Schengen-associated states received more than 10.3 million applications for short-stay visas. This represents a 37% increase from the 7.5 million applications received in 2022. Although this is a substantial rise, it is still below the pre-pandemic high of 17 million applications recorded in 2019.

India’s Remarkable Growth

India’s contribution to this increase is significant. The country lodged 966,687 visa applications in 2023, a considerable jump from the 671,928 applications in 2022. This surge underscores the growing enthusiasm among Indian travelers to explore Europe, positioning India firmly in the third spot among the top five countries for Schengen visa applications. In contrast, India had also ranked third in 2022, showing a consistent and rising interest in Schengen travel.

Comparison with Other Leading Countries

While China and Turkey took the first and second spots respectively, with 1,117,365 and 1,055,885 applications, India’s figures are not far behind. The increase in India’s applications reflects a broader trend of rising international travel interest post-pandemic, with more Indians seeking opportunities to visit Europe for tourism, business, and other short-term purposes.

Visa Issuance Trends

Despite the increase in applications, the number of visas issued in 2023 remained below pre-pandemic levels. Almost 8.5 million visas were issued in 2023, up from 5.9 million in 2022, but still short of the 15 million visas issued in 2019. This indicates that while demand is recovering, the issuance rates have not yet fully rebounded to match pre-pandemic highs.

Multiple Entry Visas

A significant portion of the visas issued in 2023 allowed for multiple entries into the Schengen area. Specifically, 4.6 million visas, or 54.2% of the total issued, were multiple-entry visas. This share has decreased slightly compared to the previous year’s 58.1%, suggesting a cautious yet steady approach in visa approvals post-pandemic.

Direct Issuance at External Borders

In addition to the visas issued through consulates, Schengen states also issued 85,200 uniform visas directly at their external borders in 2023. This practice facilitates urgent and unplanned travel needs, further supporting the recovery of international travel.

India’s significant rise in Schengen visa applications reflects its growing global engagement and the increasing propensity of its citizens to travel abroad. This trend is likely to continue, further boosting India’s position as a major player in international travel. As the world continues to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the robust increase in visa applications from India highlights a strong desire among its people to explore new destinations and opportunities across Europe.